FAR FROM THEIR ORIGINS
While I can respect the eagerness for human rights displayed by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), it seems that their message and methodology has become increasingly out of touch with anything resembling their moniker.
It seems that SJP has devolved into a group that would rather perform stunts then actually engage in any type of logical discourse.
It seems that their attention is always focused on Israel, but rarely on the needs of the Palestinians. They can quote U.N. statistics and advocate for Boycott, Sanction, and Divestments (BDS) for all hours of the day, but, in the end, where does (can) that get them?
Does that lead to a two-state solution? Does that lead to sense of Palestinian self-worth?
Rather than allying themselves with other pro-peace groups such as Sun Devils for Israel, SJP would rather commit to stunts and spectacle than anything practical.
I feel this is representative of the desperate lengths that SJP feels they need to go to so people will pay attention to them.
These narcissistic tactics, I believe, fully lend credence to the notion that SJP cares not for the desire of a sustainable peace, but a constant, petulant flaunting of their cause; while this may be sufficient to satisfy the members of SJP, it does nothing to further the mission of peace that is so desperately needed.
It is important to note that I am not suggesting this is a totally black-and-white issue. Israel has not always acted in the most responsible or fair manner, yet for Israel, there is always room for self-reflection when certain actions have transgressed (inter)national norms. You will not find this same quality with groups such as SJP and their likeminded followers.
AJ Frost
Undergraduate
